SAMUI, June 16: S Chikkrangappa was even par through 11 holes to be provisionally placed at 29th spot as none of the eight Indians in the fray could complete their first round at the weather-hit Queen’s Cup, here today.
Play was suspended for the day because of thunderstorm and the players will return at 6.30 am tomorrow to complete the first round before beginning the second round.
Neither SSP Chawrasia (two-over after 15) nor Chiragh Kumar (three-over after 15) could play to their potential as Chikkrangappa was the best among the Indians.
Rahil Gangjee and Khalin Joshi were one-over after 12 and 14 holes respectively, while Chawrasia and Himmat were two-over after 15 and 13 holes, and Chiragh was three-over.
Shubhankar Sharma was four-over with five holes to go and Amardip Malik was six-over with two more holes to play.
Thai veteran star Thaworn Wiratchant moved to the top of the leaderboard with an opening five-under-par 66 today.
The 49-year-old former double Asian Tour number one used an old set of irons at Santiburi Samui Country Club to propel his quest for an unprecedented third Queen’s Cup title and 19th Asian Tour victory.
American rookie Sam Chien stood at five-under with one hole remaining when a thunderstorm halted play at 4.20pm.
Thailand’s Gunn Charaoenkul sank an opening eagle en route to a 67 to lead the chasing pack at the USD 300,000 tournament while Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wei-chih was amongst those bunched a further shot back on 68 after he dropped three shots over his closing two holes.
Korea’s Jeunghun Wang, the highest ranked player in the field, China’s Liang Wen-chong and title holder Prayad Marksaeng enjoyed solid starts with 69s. (PTI)
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